Mt Everest ‘Think Big’ Trek 2010

  
“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.”
Edmund Hillary

Next month I am off on what will be one of the biggest life changing experiences I may ever have!  

I’m hoping to completely overhaul my mind, the way I see life and business, develop my creativity, create new opportunities and contacts plus become even more passionate about all aspects of my business, my clients businesses and the importance of a balanced life style. 

I am now appealing to my valued clients for support and sponsorship of my huge task being the climb to Base Camp Mt Everest, a 21 day hike in what I would consider quite exceptionally different conditions to what I am accustomed to. 

If you would like to sponsor my trek any support would be most graciously appreciated …. Please click here for more interesting information about the trek and see how you can help and promote your business.

Gokyo Lakes Associate Sponsors

$ 250 – $ 900 (to date)

       www.jobsmart.net.au                      www.accountingnorth.com.au
          more info here                                         more info here

Now you know why I have been doing so much walking of late!

I went to Supre yesterday and bought $30 worth of tops and they kindly gave me a bag … I then when to the chemist and bought $67 worth of products and they kindly put them in a bag …. I then went to BCF (Boating Camping Fishing Hervey Bay) and brought over $200 worth of hiking goods and they asked me if I would like to buy a bag for $ONE DOLLAR (WTF); I said, “No Thanks” with a smile and scooped all this into my arms and walked out.

Now I can understand carrying one one or two things home with no bag or if you spend under $20 lol …. also working in closedly with printers I know those bags would probably cost them no more an 10 – 30 cents each when ordered in their big bulk runs … Talk about Tight + all the advertising they are missing out on!!!!!! Priceless!

Perhaps they could supply boxes like Bunnings does?

How funny …. Thanks but No Thanks BCF, I think I’ll stick to buying my hiking gear from Kathmandu and Mountain Designs as they always kindly give me a bag to carry my purchases.

NOT sure who to vote for? With just days to go until we head to the polls, news.com.au’s Vote-a-matic 2.0 can help.

The Voteamatic 2.0 asks you 15 questions based on policies announced during the campaign, as well as issues and beliefs associated with the main parties contesting the August 21 election.  Answer the questions and at the end you’ll see which party best matches your views.

Click here to find your result

Well my result was 42% Liberal!!! Yeah I vote for them anyway!!

Now here’s an interesting FOUR hour walk I did last weekend!

The first hour was spent crossing the mud flats at Gatakers and Eli Creek. The waterproof boots had to be removed here as the water was up past the top to our shins. Thongs were also needed for the crustaceans on the sea bed.

We had another water crossing a couple of hours into the walk and ran through this one which was about 10cm deep and our hiking boots kept our feet perfectly dry!

After four hours we finally reached Goody’s Restaurant; it was like a mirage on the horizon. Emma & I enjoyed a couple of beers and a good laugh before being picked up by a friend from Hervey Bay!

This walk is a must do and on low tide only! I can’t wait to do it again!

Saturday night I attended the Tibetan Earthquake Benefit concert organised by my friend Kirsty Chenery at the Z Pac Theatre, Zepher St. Hervey Bay.

The evening started with a viewing of: ‘The Sun Behind the Clouds …..Tibet’s struggle for freedom’ Movie. This movie was excellent, clearly portraying the current and ongoing dilemma Tibetans and His Holiness the Dalai Lama face in trying to see a middle path so that Tibetans can live in their own country (currently overtaken by the Chinese), keeping their customs alive and the practice of Buddhism.
This was a special preview as the movie is not officially released till October so we very blessed to be given this viewing.

We then enjoyed some food as many brought along a plate to share.

Following our break we had a great live performance from Alena of some of her original songs. Alena is a student at our local Buddhist Sanctuary and this was her first ever live performance – The Oddiyana Dharma Sanctuary.
The theatre was also decorated beautifully with pray flags by Alena earlier in the day.

This was followed by an exciting performance by the very talented special guests Tenzin Choegyal and Tibet2Timbuk2.

Their music ranged from relaxing, to mesmerising, to captivating to upbeat I want to dance songs!  
Most of their songs are either written about birds, lakes or mountains!
They were very amusing making us laugh.

Tibet2Timbuk2 has an eclectic repertoire including group arrangements of Tenzin’s Tibetan songs, Marcello’s English songs, collaborative songs and instrumentals and even classical tabla solo.  The overall sound is full and organic, with all three musicians sharing bass, percussion, harmony and melody roles to create a solid yet easy groove.

All up over $3,000 was raised on this very successful and enlightening night!
Awesome job, Kirst xox and all who participated, helped and attended!
There was alot of love in the room!

Sunday morning was so gorgeous at 6am I went for a 3:20min, 15km walk from Enzo’s at Scarness to Gataker’s Bay Boat Ramp and back with a couple of friends along our beautiful foreshore. The weather was perfect and I hadn’t walked around this way since I was a child so there were a lot of fun memories plus I’d forgotten just how beautiful our foreshore is.

When walking on the sand I said to my friend, “Holy Cr#p check out the size of that dogs paw print!!” who was then kind enough to point out to me it was actually a kangaroo foot print …

We made it to the summit of Gataker’s Bay hill which would be approximately 20m above sea level! (For experienced climbers only ha ha lol)

Omg it was pretty cold this morning on the Fraser Coast and the temperature was only 8°C/22°C. (Unlike many I really feel the cold)

I’m glad none of my clients dropped in for an unexpected visit!

My cold weather uniform reminded me of an amusing commercial I had seen ….

I’ve never really supported the Fraser Coast “Pub Crawl” ….  I just don’t see the logic in using tax payer funded government grants to promote and encourage binge drinking to get into the Guiness Book of Records.
Alcohol causes so much distruction and damages so many people lives yet our Fraser Coast Council actively promotes and supports this behaviour on what I assume is tax payer funded website!

All our local Police will be attending the event plus more are coming from surrounding areas and Brisbane including a riot squad … who covers this cost?? The Tax Payer?

Gee Anne how RESPONSIBLE!!!
 “It is good news from an operational point of view… this ensures publicans are able to serve as fast as they can.”

Is this the only event in Australia that is still allowed to sell full strength alcohol?

MID-STRENGTH alcohol restrictions and mandatory water breaks no longer apply to this year’s World’s Greatest Pub Fest…. Liquor Licensing when it decided on Friday not to impose alcohol restrictions to Maryborough’s world-renowned event….. “It is good news from an operational point of view… this ensures publicans are able to serve as fast as they can.” pub fest committee chair and Fraser Coast councillor Anne Nioa said. Read more here.

I tend to agree with Father Kelly, the local Maryborough Catholic Priest on this one:

“I am not getting at the pubs but after observing part of the pub crawl last year I truly fear for the safety of people…..The change of name and various additions over the years, such as more water, suggestions of lower strength alcohol, a charitable ‘cause’, etc, really are just trying to minimise the basic nature of the thing as a pub crawl, with all its negative connotations……This community does not need what is really still a pub crawl in spite of the council dressing it up as a festival and adding charities and church water stations.”

… Father Kelly’s full article here

What I do support is the  Wide Bay Sexual Assault Association and the remarkable work the councillors do in putting lives back together due to the abuse and adverse effects of alcohol. 
I think the Fraser Coast Council should more appropriately use tax payer funds for a free website for the Wide Bay Sexual Assault Association so that those who are abused mentally, physically or sexually by alcohol related incidents can seek help and know there is support and recovery systems within our community and know what to do if they become a victim.

Wide Bay Sexual Assault Support Services are getting the message out there this weekend with the use of their display stand created by Design House – “Drink Spike Alert ahead of Pub Crawl!”

IT CAN happen in an instant but lead to a lifetime of pain.

Drink-spiking is common and women attending the World’s Greatest Pub Fest on Sunday are urged to beware and take care so the crawl remains a safe and happy experience.

Counsellors from the Wide Bay Sexual Assault Support Service visited every participating crawl pub this week to distribute coasters, brochures and wrist bands warning of the dangers and advising people how to stay safe. … click here to learn more (image & info from The Fraser Coast Chronicle).

What to do if you think your drink has been spiked.
It is important to tell someone you can trust, a friend, security staff, the police and go to a doctor or hospital. Your doctor or a medical practitioner can test for the presence of traces of certain drugs through urine or blood tests within 24 hours.

Report the Crime 000 – Seek Medical HELP!
Statewide Sexual Assault Helpline  1800 010 120
Wide Bay Sexual Assault Service   07 4121 5999

Click here to learn more 

with Special guests Tenzin Choegyal and Tibet2Timbuk2.
 

Saturday, June 26, 2010
Z Pac Theatre Zepher St. Hervey Bay 

5pm – 6.20pm: ‘The Sun Behind the Clouds …..Tibet’s struggle for freedom’ Movie
$7 a ticket

7pm – 9:30pm: Benefit Concert
$20 a ticket

$25 for both; Tickets available from Aura Dental, Torquay Rd and Go Natural Foods, the Esplanade from 19th May. Limited seating! 

Was so much fun!

A big thank you to Enrique for his awesome 2 hour lesson.
We had a fantastic turn out with Zumba enthusiasts of all ages and sizes completing the full two hours!!!

Also thank you to all who attended and sponsored this FUN event! 
I can’t wait for the next one!

Jeanette Maynes wants to shake up the idea of setting a Queensland record with Fraser Coast Zumba enthusiasts.

And if you’re not hooked yet, she says it won’t take long.

The owner of Design House in Hervey Bay and organiser of the popular Salsa Group, has teamed up with dance enthusiast Enrique Salomao for a fun two-hour Zumba 500 workout at the Great Hall, Beach Rd Pialba, this Saturday, April 17.

“We are aiming to get 500 people on Saturday.  But that’s just the start,” she said.

Ms Maynes says Zumba 500 isn’t just for fitness gurus; just about anyone can come along and give it a go, male or female.

“There is no room to feel uncomfortable.  You just go at your own pace. Everyone is too busy getting their own groove on to look at you” she said.

“It’s for all shapes and all ages.  They’re people in their 60s and 70s that come along to Zumba and can certainly keep up.”

“For that whole lesson I’m getting a huge maximum workout. It’s so much fun, and you feel awesome for the rest of the day.”

The party starts with registration at 9.30am at a cost of $15. The event runs from 10am to noon.

Make sure you dress in comfortable and sporty clothing. Children welcome.

To find out more visit www.salsagroup.com.au

There are believed to be as few as 50 dingoes left on Fraser Island consisting of maybe 7 family groups (mum dad and pups).

 
Apparently since DERM has taken control of the island over 100 dingoes have been killed, shot, injected and left to starve to death.

SUSTAINABILITY Minister Kate Jones has strongly defended her Fraser Island Dingo Management Strategy and denied seeing any evidence that it has resulted in starvation for dingoes or danger to the public…. Click here and here to learn more.

THE dingo may be the oldest dog breed in the world, according to a new study (well not for long!!)…. click here to learn more.

Save the Fraser Island Dingo… Sign the petition

Described as “One of the most important surf movies of our times” and YOU have the opportunity to come along and see it on the big screen. “Somewhere Near Tapachula” is a truly inspiring story of love, life and hope. Set in Tapachula, Mexico, this film follows the stories of 54 children from lives of poverty, trauma and abuse, and their journey to Mission Mexico, a children’s refuge founded by Australian couple Pam and Alan Skuse.

It also focuses on the unique surf community that they have pioneered in Tapachula, a coastal city with no other wave riders. The surfing experience has had a phenomenal impact on the children, creating an escape from their unimaginable pasts.

“Somewhere Near Tapachula” will challenge you with the important things in life and open your eyes to the power of riding waves, wether you are a surfer or not.

The film recently won the People’s choice award at Yallingup Surfilm Festival in W.A. It has also featured in the latest edition of Surfing World Australia and this week’s copy of Grazia Magazine. “Somewhere Near Tapachula” has also been nominated for the “Heart of Gold Award” in the International Film Festival held in Gympie this month.

You can check out the teaser trailer on www.somewhereneartapachula.com

This is going to be a fantastic night with live entertainment, art show, prizes and giveaways, Q&A with the director and producer and one of the stars from the film. 100% of profits go to Mission Mexico Children’s Refuge.

Maryborough Town Hall, Friday 19^th March.

Adults $ 15
Concession $ 10
 Family $ 40 (2 Adults, 2 Children).

Doors open: 6:45 pm
Tickets available by calling the numbers below or online at www.moshtix.com

For further information please contact:
Rachel 0424 190 494
Ana 0431 227 324
Lupita 0403 797 723

Monday night it was off with the girls for my second attempt at donating blood. You can read about my first amusing experience here. Both myself and my friend Emma were far more successful donating 440ml each and not doing the full bag of 470ml as the staff cut us short and told us we were too skinny …..Helloooooo I’ll take that as a compliment!

Kirsty another friend of mine came along too for her first go and went really well with no problems. She even had the Dalai Lama giving her guidance with his autobiography sitting on her lap!

Well done ladies, see you in 3 months time with hopefully some more recruits!

To find out more about the opportunity to donate blood and help others, please click here.

Please enjoy some words from my meditation and spiritual guidance teacher – Choeying Dolma (Resident Teacher| Buddhist Nun). We are very blessed to have Choeying on the Fraser Coast!

I received the news that the cancer in my mouth that I had over twenty years earlier had resurfaced for the second time. After having surgery and another biopsy I was told that the cancer had spread and they recommended I have more surgery along with radiation treatment. 

After surviving the ordeal of treatment for the second time I later found another lump.

Things were not looking good for me being able to enjoy a long life. My partner looked at me with so much love and compassion in his eyes as he asked, “Where would like to go or what you would like to do before you die . . .I will do whatever and go wherever you like? 

I was so touched by his loving kindness and replied, “I am very happy where I am at the moment but I would like to hold the hands of His Holiness the Dalai Lama before I die!” 

I later decided to go to India on a spiritual pilgrimage and become ordained as a Buddhist nun. On my return I had the great fortune of attending the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama while in Sydney. 

I could not believe my luck when I found myself staying in the same hotel as His Holiness and having the good fortune to meet him in the lobby. 

It was the most surreal moment of my life when he greeted me by lovingly placing my hands between his. . . making my dying wish come true.  I was spellbound being in the presence of such a holy man. I was awe struck by the tangible power of his compassion. 

In this profound moment I realised how compassion was SO much more powerful then anger and war. I tasted the possibility of compassion being the solution to all wars and could see clearly how His Holiness can stay resolute in choosing compassion over war with the Chinese Government. I pray the Chinese Government have the good karma to be in his presence to feel this powerful compassion to be able to let go of their fears enough to at least sit down and engage in peace talks with His Holiness.

At the time his hands embraced mine I remember thinking, “Now I truly can die happily!” 

It seems, up until this moment at least I still have the good karma to still be enjoying this precious life I have been given. I couldn’t have had this life in the first place without my parents and I am so grateful to them for giving birth to me. 

Facing death is a true blessing as it helps us to deeply understand how important it is to live and love well. It helps us to see clearly that this precious life can be taken from us without any notice. In fact most deaths are like that. 

 My journey helped me to understand on a very deep level many things that on reflection I only understood intellectually when teaching on impermanence for many years.

I am so grateful for getting cancer as it taught me to not take life for granted.

But it is, “Meditation” that keeps this memory alive in me and shows me ways to enhance my life in ways I never imagined. 

I would like to share with others just a few of the many insights meditation has shown me.

This life [that could be so short] needs to be lived mindfully, in the present moment, in order to be called a well lived life. 

That every moment we are not mindful by dwelling in the past or the future is the very moment we are robbed of truly living our life. 

How we constantly live in the past and the future and miss the present.

How in the present moment there are miracles all around us that we cannot see because we are not there. 

Cancer woke me up to how short and precious this life is and how important it is to not miss it.

Meditation clearly shows me how stress causes dis-ease and how meditation can cure mental and physical illnesses. It helps me to not to forget and lose this great gift I was given of being able to practice being present.  It reminds me how important it is to have peace and calm in my life Meditation has shown me that, “Pain is inevitable – Suffering is optional?” 

I am truly blessed and am ever grateful to my teachers who have so generously shared with me the precious gift of knowing how to meditate in a way that has bought me so much happiness and peace in my life and allowed me to see the many miracles that are all around me if I can just stay in the present moment – If I can just learn to sit and be with myself and dwell in the bliss of simply sitting with myself.

But most of all it reminds me how grateful I am to have such a wonderful tool in my life to help me stay calm, peaceful and free of suffering. 

I am so blessed to be able to share this precious gift with others by facilitating Calm Abiding Meditation Courses and Weekend Retreats at the Oddiyana Dharma Sanctuary

Now my dying wish is… 

“May all beings find the gift of meditation to find true happiness and be free from suffering!” 

Choeying Dolma
(resident teacher) 

For more information on finding peace and calm in your life plus learning meditation please contact Choeying at THE ODDIYANA DHARMA SANCTUARY – 4125 5530 or 0408 257 071.

Or register ONLINE for the next meditation course starting at the end of February:
 www.oddiyanadharmasanctuary.org

Yesterday I set off with some mates to map out the route for a trail run across Fraser Island to be hosted later in the year (click here to subscribe for info on the event). I hiked / jogged 25km from Kingfisher Bay Resort to Eurong Resort the width of Fraser Island. We ran though bush, soft sand and beautiful rain forest. The 25km part of the trek took 5:45mins with a few breaks.

After lunch & a recharge break at Eurong the boys headed on further completing another 23km’s going up the beach to Lake Wabby, tackling a huge sand dune and came back around to meet us at the 4wd.

We were all thoroughly exhausted at the end of the day. I enjoyed a huge steak before we got the 8.30pm barge home last night.

It was an AWESOME ADVENTURE but I’m very stiff today!

Well I can already tell this is going to be a very long month!

It’s nearly the end of day 3 without an alcoholic beverage and I’m quite surprised I haven’t got the shakes yet.
It’s strange, when you can’t have a beer at the end of the day; you tend to think about beer all day!!
I’m certainly craving a Pure Blonde! 

What is Feb Fast?
Participating in a Booze Free February!!!

What’s in it for me?
Lose weight, save money, gain more energy and raise money for charity!!  All very positive outcomes! 

I’ve finally got my registration in order so; if you would like to make a donation to support me on what I consider to be a huge challenge please click here to make a donation that goes straight to charity.

Proceeds raised through registration and fundraising go towards the Australian Drug Foundation, YSAS (the Youth Substance Abuse Service in Victoria), Mater Hospital’s Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Service (Queensland), The Ted Noffs Foundation (NSW and ACT) and FebFast’s grants program for smaller grass-roots organisations.

These days, ‘working your way to the top’ is almost unheard of, but not for chartered accountant, Toni McCulloch, who has just celebrated her 15th year with a Local accountancy firm … Accounting North ….

PLUS had been an awesome business mentor & best friend to me for 19 years…. (I wonder which has been the hardest job!)

To learn more about this inspiring & motivated business woman and her remarkable achievements please click here and read her Profile Magazine editorial.